State Tuition Waiver

Applications for the Colorado National Guard Tuition Waiver are now closed. 

Spring Open Enrollment:

 November 1 through Nov 20

New Open Enrollment Periods for 

Colorado State Tuition Waiver Applications:

FALL: June 1 thru June 20

SPRING: November 1 thru November 20

SUMMER: April 1 thru April 20

Note: Colorado State Tuition Waiver open enrollment is based on funding availability.

For adequate time to review applications before the semester begins, open enrollment has been shortened from 30 days to 20 days.

Applicant Submissions Each Semester:

• Applicants should request all classes they would like to attend for the entire semester/term

• For Fall open enrollment, applicants should request funding and credit hours for classes that run from August through February.

• For Spring open enrollment, applicants should request funding and credit hours for classes that run from January through May.

• For Summer open enrollment, applicants should request funding and credit hours for classes that run from May through August.

Note: If your application does not include all classes for the semester or term, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will not be able to process or adjust the request.

If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please email: Tuition@dmva.state.co.us

Review Required Documents

Submit an Application (Closed until November 1, 2025) 

Colorado State Tuition Waiver 

Effective July 1, 2025, the Colorado Tuition Waiver Program under Senate Bill 25-247, replaced the State Tuition Assistance (TA) Program that previously offered up to $5,000 per semester in tuition assistance.

The new Tuition Waiver Program may cover 100% of tuition cost for eligible members of the Colorado National Guard (CONG) who apply and are approved for funding. While the Colorado Tuition Waiver may cover 100% of tuition, it does not include mandatory fees, textbooks, or other related educational expenses. To help offset these remaining costs, service members are encouraged to explore and utilize Colorado State Grants and Financial Aid, Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA), and/or their GI Bill benefits.

Student Enrollment Caps: 

In accordance with the SB 25-247 State Tuition Waiver Program, each participating school is assigned an annual student enrollment cap. This cap, which is based on the average attendance of the three most recent fall semesters, represents the maximum number of Colorado National Guard service members who can receive tuition waiver funding at that institution for the fiscal year.

Once a school's cap is reached, no additional tuition waiver funds can be awarded for that semester, even if a student is otherwise eligible. If the school has met its cap, applicants may need to explore alternative funding options or consider applying for the waiver at another eligible institution.

Enrollment caps are set annually and can change based on legislative funding, institutional participation, and statewide demand. Updated cap amounts will be published before each open enrollment period to ensure transparency and support your enrollment decisions.

Prioritization of Tuition Waiver Awards:
Tuition Waiver awards will be prioritized to ensure fair and equitable distribution of funds. Priority will be given to service members who are pursuing their first degree (associate’s, bachelor’s, etc.) at a participating Designated Institution of Higher Education (DIHE). Applicants who have already completed a degree at the same level they are now seeking (e.g., an associate's degree to another associate's degree) will receive secondary consideration. This means their applications will be reviewed only after all first-degree seekers have been considered. This policy applies even if the previous degree was paid for with other funding sources.

After first-degree seekers are accommodated, all remaining tuition waiver applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants who meet program requirements and whose institution has not yet reached its enrollment cap for the fiscal year.

This prioritization ensures the program supports educational access for those beginning their degree pathway, while still allowing other eligible members the opportunity to benefit as funding allows.

Open Enrollment Periods:

Open enrollment is based on funding availability

• Fall: June 1 through June 20
• Spring: November 1 through November 20
• Summer: April 1 through April 20

Applicant Submissions Each Semester:

Applicants should request all classes they would like to attend for the entire semester. If you are a CSU Global student, we understand that the various terms can be confusing. If you have questions about which terms to request tuition for, please contact us for assistance. tuition@dmva.state.co.us

• Fall Open Enrollment: Request tuition for classes that run from August through February.
• Spring Open Enrollment: Request tuition for classes that run from January through May.
• Summer Open Enrollment: Request tuition for classes that run from May through August.

Note: Please ensure your application includes all classes for the semester or term. The DMVA cannot process or adjust requests that are incomplete.

Overview:

In accordance with Senate Bill 25-247, the Tuition Waiver program includes CONG members credit hour caps per degree program, which will be monitored and administered by the DMVA Tuition Waiver Manager.

Credit Hour Limits under the Tuition Waiver Program:

• 2-Year Institutions: Up to 65 credit hours
• 4-Year Institutions: Up to 130 credit hours
• Combination of 2-Year and 4-Year Institutions: Maximum of 145 credit hours

In addition, each service member is eligible to complete one postgraduate degree with DMVA approval:

• Master’s Degree: Up to 60 credit hours
• Doctoral Degree: Up to 90 credit hours
• Professional Degree: Up to 150 credit hours\
• These postgraduate credit limits are in addition to the maximum allowable credit hours for associate and bachelor’s degree programs.

The Tuition Waiver also covers full tuition for one Certificate of Completion per service member. Any request for an additional certificate waiver requires formal approval from the DMVA Tuition Waiver Manager.

• Tuition Waiver may be applied to part-time or full-time enrollment

• Courses must be specific to completing a degree or certificate program 

• May be used for fall, spring, and summer terms

• Are non-transferable to dependents

• Tuition Assistance credit hours used previously will not transfer over to the Tuition Waiver program 

Eligibility Criteria – Colorado State Tuition Waiver Program:

• All Colorado National Guard (CONG) service members are eligible to apply for the State Tuition Waiver Program.
• Applicants must be active members of the Colorado Army or Air National Guard and in good standing with their unit and command.
• Completion of Basic Training is required (if applicable to the service member’s military occupational path).
• Members transferring from other states or service components are eligible to use the Tuition Waiver immediately, no waiting period is required, provided Basic Training has been completed.
• ROTC Scholarship Recipients:
  • Those who elected the “room and board” option in their ROTC contract are eligible for the State Tuition Waiver.
  • Those who selected the “tuition and fees” option in their ROTC contract are not eligible for the State Tuition Waiver.
• The applicant’s Expiration Term of Service (ETS) must not occur during the semester or quarter in which the Tuition Waiver is being used.
  • Members anticipating separation must submit documentation confirming reenlistment to remain eligible.
• Applicants must be accepted to a Designated Institution of Higher Education (DIHE) in the State of Colorado.
• Annual submission of a FAFSA or CASFA is required.
  • Applicants are not required to qualify for aid—only submission is mandatory.
  • FAFSA and CASFA may not be submitted together.
• Service members eligible for Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) are strongly encouraged to apply for and use FTA.
• Use of GI Bill benefits is not required to be eligible for the Tuition Waiver.
• Applicants must complete all registered courses and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by their institution.
• There is no additional service obligation required for any Colorado National Guard member—regardless of rank—who participates in the State Tuition Waiver Program.

Non-Eligible:

The following are not eligible to use Tuition Waiver:

• Regular Army & Air Active-duty military 

• Military spouses and dependents 

• Federal or State employees who are not in the Colorado National Guard

• Civilians 

Transfers From Another State:

If a service member has transferred from another state’s National Guard or Reserves, they must provide proof of their IST (NGB22-5 Form), along with supporting documentation validating their ETS or MRD dates.

• DMVA cannot approve applications with documentation showing the service member is serving for a state other than Colorado.
• Re-enlistment paperwork is required if the Estimated Term of Service (ETS) is before the last day of the current semester applying for.
• If a service member is outside the 90-day window to re-enlist and will not have a re-enlistment packet by the deadline, they should upload the following:   
  • A digitally signed memorandum from your CO National Guard Unit Commander to include the estimated date of completion of their re-enlistment document.
• Service members who are not planning on re-enlisting are not eligible for the State Tuition Waiver program.

ETS/MRD:

If a service member’s Expiration Term of Service (ETS) date or Mandatory Retirement Date (MRD) falls during the semester they are applying for, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) requires re-enlistment documentation to confirm continued eligibility.

Basic Training Requirement:

Service members are required to upload official documentation showing proof of their Basic Training completion. The document must clearly display the applicant's name.

Note: ROTC Cadets who are not required to complete Basic Training are exempt from this requirement and do not need to upload documentation.

Student Responsibilities: 

To maintain your eligibility for the tuition waiver, you must:

• If you are not a Colorado resident, service members must apply for in-state residency with the attending institution to be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.
  • Out-of-state tuition is not accepted and not permissible to be approved.
• Submit a FAFSA or CASFA application each year and provide proof of submission during the Tuition Waiver application process.
• Review the STATE TUITION WAIVER REQUIRED FORMS prior to completing the application.
• Submit all required documents, complete and legible forms, as requested by the DMVA and your attending institution.
• If approved, provide the Award Letter/FERPA Release form to your school by the official add/drop date.
• Maintain good academic standing as defined by your school.
• Remain in good standing with the Colorado National Guard (CONG).
• Submit requests only for courses that qualify under the program's degree eligibility requirements.
• Successfully complete all courses for which you are registered.
• Drop courses only during the official add/drop period set by your school.

Contact the DMVA Tuition Manager immediately if you are unable to meet any of these responsibilities, tuition@dmva.state.co.us

Additional Information Requested: 

If an application is incomplete, missing required documents, or needing clarification, the applicant will receive a request via email to provide the required information. At that point the applicant will have 3 business days from the date of notification to upload the proper documentation.

• If the requested documents are not submitted within this timeframe, the application will be denied as incomplete.
• Applications will not be held for later correction; consideration will move to the next eligible applicant.

FERPA Forms:

If the Tuition Waiver is approved, the service member will receive an approval email with an Award Letter/FERPA Release form. It is the service members’ responsibility to sign and submit the Award Letter/FERPA Release form to their school’s official by the add/drop date. This is a crucial step, as failure to meet this deadline may lead to the forfeiture of their tuition waiver funds.

The Award Letter/FERPA Release form details approved credit hours and tuition amount for the semester. It also gives schools the authority to notify the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) of any changes to enrollment, including credit hours, tuition costs, or if GPA falls below the school's minimum requirement.

Failure to provide this form to the school by the deadline will prevent the DMVA from administering the tuition waiver funds in accordance with state law, which will lead to the cancellation of approved waivers.

What the Waiver Covers:

The State Tuition Waiver covers in-state tuition only. Service members are responsible for books, mandatory fees, and living expenses, unless other funding sources are available.

Tuition Waiver Approvals:

Tuition waiver approvals are valid only for the current semester. Service members are required to submit a new application each semester they wish to receive the waiver.

Important: Receiving funding for this semester does not guarantee future funding approval through the degree program. Future funding is based on enrollment and funding availability.

FAFSA or CASFA:

Applying for FAFSA or CASFA is a mandatory requirement under the new Senate Bill to qualify for Tuition Waiver funds. Failure to apply for either of these grants will prevent DMVA from processing the application, resulting in a denial of the request.

• Complete and submit a FAFSA or CASFA application annually. You must provide proof of submission with your tuition waiver application; do not upload the full application.
• Upload a screenshot of the submission confirmation page. This screenshot must clearly show your name and the application's status.

Forfeiture of Tuition Waiver Approvals and Repayment: 

An approved tuition waiver can be revoked if a service member does not fulfill their obligations. The following circumstances may lead to the forfeiture of your approved tuition waiver and potential obligation for the service member to repay the DMVA for tuition paid: 

• Failure to submit required documentation to the DMVA or the attending institution in appropriate timeframe.
• Not meeting eligibility requirements of the program.
• No longer in good standing with the institution or the Colorado National Guard (CONG).
• Withdrawing from classes after the institutions add/drop date.
• Not meeting the institution's minimum CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) requirements.
• Failure to maintain active service status (e.g., discharge from the Colorado National Guard).
• Transferring to a different institution without receiving prior approval from the DMVA.  
• Exceeding the credit hours or tuition amount approved.
• Misrepresenting information on the tuition waiver application. 

Approved Designated Institutions of Higher Education:

• Adams State University
• Aims Community College
• Arapahoe Community College
• Colorado Mesa University
• Colorado Mountain College
• Colorado Northwestern Community College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University at Ft. Collins & Online Plus
• Colorado State University­ Global
• Colorado State University at Pueblo
• Community College of Aurora
• Community College of Denver
• Emily Griffith Technical College
• Fort Lewis College
• Front Range Community College
• Lamar Community College
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Morgan Community College
• Northeastern Junior College
• Otero Junior College
• Pickens Technical College
• Pikes Peak State College
• Pueblo Community College
• Red Rocks Community College
• Technical College of the Rockies
• Trinidad State Junior College
• University of Colorado at Boulder
• University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
• University of Colorado at Denver/Anschutz
• University of Northern Colorado
• Western Colorado University

For School Official Use Only:

Tuition Waiver Reporting Form

Additional Resources:

• Read the Full Communication Plan
• GI Bill Information
• CSU Global Academic Calendars and Important Dates Video
• CSU Global Academic Calendars

DMVA Tuition Waiver Manager

Ms. Krystal Patton 

6848 S. Revere Parkway 

Centennial, CO 80112 

krystal.patton@dmva.state.co.us

720-250-1313, 303-249-0146

Federal Tuition Assistance:

The State Tuition Waiver office does not handle Federal Tuition Assistance benefits. If you have question about Federal Tuition Assistance please contact: